What is a characteristic of irregular surfaces in reflection?

Irregular surfaces are known for their ability to scatter light in many directions, which is a defining characteristic of how they interact with light. When light strikes an irregular surface, such as crumpled paper or rough concrete, the unevenness of the surface causes the light waves to bounce off in various angles instead of reflecting uniformly. This scattering results in a diffuse reflection, where the reflected light comes from many different directions, leading to a lack of clear images.

In contrast, smooth surfaces, like a mirror or a calm body of water, reflect light in a single, organized direction, resulting in sharp and clear reflections. Therefore, the ability of irregular surfaces to scatter light explains their functionality in applications where diffuse lighting is desirable, such as in reducing glare or creating softer lighting effects.